May 2, 2014 — The following was released by the North Carolina Fisheries Association:
NCFA BOARD MEETING: The Board met this past Monday in New Bern in a meeting that lasted over 7 hours. (Including lunch.) Over half of that time was a discussion about the large mesh gillnet fishery and red drum. (See Jerry's comments about the proposal that was passed at that meeting.)
RESPONSIBLE FISHERIES FORUM: A forum about the future of fisheries management and the fisherman's role in coming up with common sense solutions, (visioning), will be held on Saturday, May 3rd, at the Jaycee Park in Morehead City from 10:00am till 4:00pm. This event has been coordinated by Chris McCaffity. If you have any questions, call Chris at (252) 269-9817. His website is: www.freefish7.com.
TRADEWINDS!!! Tradewinds has been mailed! If you are a member of NCFA, a member of an affiliate group of NCFA or an Associate member you should have already received your copy. If you did NOT receive it call Peggy at the number above so she can check the database. This first issue was sent via First Class mail so there's no reason why should not have gotten it if you are a member.
If you did not get an ad in this issue, call or send a note to Maureen now to make sure you're in the next issue!
Website: http://www.nctradewinds.com/
Maureen: 252-675-3128 or e-mail: editor@nctradewinds.com
BRUNSWICK COUNTY FISHERMEN'S GROUP met last Saturday with a good showing of paid memberships! Congratulations to Randy Robinson, the new President! As the President of the group, Randy serves as a voting member on NCFA's Board of Directors and joins Steve Parrish in representing Brunswick County. If you are interested in knowing more about the group contact Randy: 910-209-3463.
ALBEMARLE FISHERMEN'S ASSOCIATON will have its next meeting on May 13th at Leon Nixon's catering in Edenton. Meeting is at 6:30, but get there earlier to eat! For more information, call Terry Pratt: 252-339-7431.
VERY INTERESTING ARTICLE ON ECONOMIC VALUE of commercial and recreational fishing:
NOAA Economic report
MOTHER'S DAY IS SUNDAY, MAY 11th! This has nothing to do with fishing but everything to do with your Mom or your wife! Jerry has raffle tickets for 5 Mother's Day baskets full of "stuff" that the ladies will like and a number of gift certificates. Proceeds benefit the STAFF House Maternity Home, which has been very gracious in sharing office space with NCFA. Tickets are only $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. Drop him a note or leave a message at the STAFF House office: 252-633-3545. He said he'll deliver your winnings! Drawing is next Friday, May 9th!
Jerry's comments:
The NCFA Board held another marathon meeting this past Monday in New Bern. The majority of the time was spent discussing the issue of a large mesh gillnet closure due to the possibility of red drum discards. The meeting was open to all fishermen, NCFA members and non members. Chairman Brent Fulcher kept the group on task and allowed everyone to speak their peace. If I tell you that it was a "spirited" discussion, you know what I mean, right?
The issue came up after discussions were held by two of our affiliate groups that brought the idea forward. Their groups favored a closure from May 1st till August 1st. However, after hours of discussion a motion was put forth that would close large mesh anchored gillnets on May 1st. Also,
– Limited areas to open to large-mesh gill nets June 1 with a four-fish red drum bycatch allowance;
– All waters reopening to large mesh gill nets Aug. 1, with seven-fish red drum bycatch allowance;
– Exemptions for run-around gill nets and drift nets; and
– Weekly dealer reporting of red drum landings.
DMF issued a proclamation that is effective on Monday for the closure, but in a press release stated the following: "While the May closure partially addresses this request, the division cannot reopen the red drum commercial fishery until Sept. 1," said division Director Louis Daniel. "Reopening red drum before Sept. 1 would result in non-compliance with the North Carolina and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission plans."
The Marine Fisheries Commission will consider how to better monitor the landings of red drum and other aspects of the Fisheries Association's request at its May 21-23 meeting. The division will present a detailed red drum landings data analysis to the commission, as well.
It should be noted that during the discussion on Monday, there was considerable concern and some opposition, but after some give and take the motion was adopted unanimously. All of our affiliate groups from the Albemarle area, Ocracoke, Carteret, Brunswick and the North Carolina Watermen United endorsed the proposal.
God bless,
Jerry
MEETINGS:
NOTE: If you are aware of ANY meetings that should be of interest to commercial fishing that is not on this list, please contact us so we can include it here.
May 3 Responsible Fisheries Forum; 10 till 4; Jaycee Park, Morehead City
May 6 Finfish Advisory Committee; meeting has been cancelled!
May 14 NC General Assembly convenes for the short session
May 12 – 15 ASMFC Spring Meeting; Alexandria, VA; www.asmfc.org
May 13 Albemarle Fishermen's Association; Leon Nixon's Catering, Edenton, 6:30pm
May 21-23 NC Marine Fisheries Commission; Clam Digger; Pine Knoll Shores
June 6 Finfish Advisory Committee; Ag extension office; New Bern; 6:00pm
June 9 – 13 SAFMC Meeting; Pointe Vedra Beach, FL
June 10 – 12 MAFMC Meeting; Freehold, NJ
MFC/DMF Meeting Schedule
LARGE MESH GILL NETS: INTERNAL COASTAL WATERS
PRESS RELEASE FROM DMF ABOUT LARGE MESH GILLNET CLOSURE
SNAPPER-GROUPER COMPLEX-COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL PURPOSES